A world-renowned negotiator, mediator, and bestselling author, William Ury directs the Global Negotiation Project at Harvard University. Over the last thirty years he has helped millions of people, hundreds of organizations, and numerous countries at war reach satisfying agreements. Download and start listening now!

Quotes & Awards

No matter whether you are negotiating compensation with the toughest CFO or a curfew for your teenager, this book teaches us a critical and counterintuitive lesson. You can say no and still be nice. Simple, straightforward and easy to read, The Power of a Positive No is a YES on our reading list.Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, authors of The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness

William Ury brings a marvelous blend of experience, insight, integrity and warmth to his work. In this wonderful book he teaches us how to say No—with grace and effect—so that we might create even better Yes".—Jim Collins, author Good to Great

Almost any brief comment on The Power of a Positive No would be trite. Suffice it to say that if I'd had and used this book for the last 25 years, I would have doubtless avoided innumerable heartaches and headaches and tattered personal and professional relationships. 'Original' is an embarrassingly overused word on book dust jackets, but, simply, this all-important book stands alone on a subject that underpins, like no other, jndividual and organizational effectiveness.Tom Peters, author of In search of Excellence

The world's biggest shared secret is that most of us say yes when we really want to say no, in both our professional and private lives. Bill Ury generously provides us with insights and techniques to turn this malady into win-win solutions. This is a wise and powerful book.John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends

Listener Opinions

Buddy Stricker | 2/19/2014

" Excellent book for leaders and team members at any level to read. Ury draws on historical events to demonstrate the importance of saying no by demonstrating the results and consequences. He makes it abundantly clear that the use of "no" is critical to success in both business and personal relationships. "

Cianna | 2/16/2014

" Wow. This is a great book for anyone who has a hard time saying no, for anyone who gets in situations where saying no feels like it puts a friendship/relationship in jeopardy, for anyone, really. "

Jennifer | 2/11/2014

" The book was a little repetitive, but the message was clear: yes, no, yes. Say yes to core values/priorities, no to something that interferes with those core values/priorities, and say yes to a positive relationship. I now want to read his other two books. (Randy read the first one, Getting to Yes, in his MBA program.) "

Lisa | 2/11/2014

" While upon reflection I would say most of this book is good common sense, I appreciated the reminders! I especially appreciated the idea that, in order to effectively say no, you need to know what your yes is. Once there is clarity on that score, it becomes easier to draw boundaries. There are lots of examples, anecdotes, and dialogues, which are effective and sometimes entertaining. I also liked the importance the author placed on saying no with respect for yourself and the other, as well as the yes/no/yes formula for negotiation. A good, solid read. "

Ben | 2/3/2014

" Excellent book on its own, but is even better if you couple the techniques from the book with those of Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations and the understanding from Friedman's Fables. "

" Amazing--both talks of dialogue and the use/ creative energy and power "

Nathan | 1/9/2014

" Excellent -- as good as Getting to Yes. "

Krenee | 1/8/2014

" Wow, very good & powerful stuff that I need to think on, digest, and re-read later. "

Martine | 1/3/2014

" Indispensible to my life. Dry at first but a couple years later I still think of these tools. "

David Mcmorris | 1/2/2014

" I liked this book and want to apply what the author says. "

Carmen | 12/11/2013

" Good tips to use "yes" and "No" "

Ashley | 11/23/2013

" Not going to lie... i couldnt finish this book. it was that boring! "

Mary Taitt | 11/21/2013

" I liked it veru much and will REREAD IT! "

Cheri Brumbelow | 9/25/2013

" Powerful! Wish I had read this about a year or so ago. "

Daniel Noventa | 9/16/2013

" Information derived from the writers personal experiences. At some point or another we have to say no. This lets you know that it's not always a bad thing and lets you accept other point of views. "

Gayle | 2/8/2013

" I picked this up during a very low point in my work life where I was failing miserably at standing up for myself. It's also been helpful at home where I know I tend to put everyone else first. I actually am planning on buying this book for my personal library! Highly recommend. "

Lesli Smith | 1/25/2013

" I read his while traveling across country. I thought a lot of it was repetitive but it definately helped me consider why I say yes and no. I have been able to say no with out attacking the other person and when I say yes more often than not I mean it! "

Toddfears | 12/30/2012

" Liked the book and it's concepts help in a variety of personal and business situations. "

Rachel Bartony | 11/7/2012

" I highly recommend this book, especially during an election cycle when so many differences -- many legitimate, some not so much -- are highlighted. It teaches you to protect your core values while still engaging productively with others, particularly when there is disagreement. Really great. "

Roxy | 10/31/2012

" A great book to read if you want to raise a well behaved pup. I've already implemented Millan's tips and my dog, Lola is doing very well. "

Kevin | 7/1/2012

" Great information about how to say yes to the relationship, no to the current offer, but leave it open to a possible yes to other offers you and they may work out. "

Michelle Eging | 3/30/2012

" I think everyone should read this book. "

Lloyd Dalton | 3/27/2012

" This was shorter, more direct, and more valuable than the earlier two books in the trilogy (Getting to Yes and Getting past No). "

CKE387 | 12/8/2011

" Teaching oneself to say "no" and mean it without being rude. Gives practical examples and techniques. Just got to remember them when the situation arises in real life. "

Roxy | 4/3/2011

" A great book to read if you want to raise a well behaved pup. I've already implemented Millan's tips and my dog, Lola is doing very well.
"

Mary | 2/1/2011

" I liked it veru much and will REREAD IT!
"

Alexis Komarov | 9/22/2010

" Decent book, don't spend too much time on this one though.
"

Niniane | 6/9/2010

" This book was poorly written. I think there was a point about saying no clearly instead of avoiding it or saying it in an attacking way, but I couldn't absorb it because the writing was so terrible.
"

Carmen | 3/6/2010

" Good tips to use "yes" and "No"
"

Toddfears | 3/6/2010

" Liked the book and it's concepts help in a variety of personal and business situations.
"

Racelle | 10/10/2009

" Amazing--both talks of dialogue and the use/ creative energy and power
"

Kevin | 7/1/2009

" Great information about how to say yes to the relationship, no to the current offer, but leave it open to a possible yes to other offers you and they may work out.
"

Other Titles by William Ury:

About the Author

William Ury is the co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, where he directs the Project on Preventing War. One of the world’s leading negotiation specialists, his past clients include dozens of Fortune 500 companies as well as the White House and Pentagon. Ury received his B.A. from Yale and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Harvard. His books Getting to Yes and Getting Past No have sold more than five million copies worldwide.

[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.